In a change of pace, for this recording vibraphonist
Cal Tjader recorded cool-toned bop without a Latin rhythm section. Half of the ten songs (mostly jazz standards) feature
Tjader switching to drums (his original instrument) in a quartet also including the obscure trombonist Bob Collins, guitarist
Eddie Duran and bassist
Al McKibbon.
Tjader is back on vibes for the quintet selections with tenor saxophonist
Brew Moore, pianist
Sonny Clark, bassist
Eugene Wright and drummer
Bobby White. He sounds right at home in both formats and the swinging quintet numbers in particular are a good reason to search for this valuable album. ~ Scott Yanow